Metallurgical apparatus for treating test specimens



Sept. 23, 1952 Q KLSHIAN 2,611,264

METALLURqlcAL. APPARATUS FORL TxATING TEsT-sPEcIMENs Filed sept. .'50,1949 *UNI-'reo STATES PATENT orifice METALLURGICAL APPARATUS lForaTREAT- .ING TEST SPECIMENS Henry G. Keshian, Waterbury, Conn.

Application September 30, 1949, Serial No. 118,987

The pres-ent invention relates in general tov metallurgical apparatusand more yespecially to apparatus for subjecting solid metaltest-specimens to successive treatments simulating actual operatingconditions.

An object of the inv-ention is to provide superior apparatus fortreating solid metal test-specimens.

A further object of the invention is to provide solid metaltest-specimen treating-apparatus of simple, .durable-andrelatively-economical con-- struction. A Y

A still further object of the invention is to provide --apparatus forrepeatedly subjectingy a .plurality of solid metal test-specimens totemperature changes fand pressures or stresses encountered under normialoperating conditions. Y

A still further object of theinvention is to 9 Claims. (Cl. 73-15.6)

provide solid metal test-specimen treating-apparatus which may be usedselectively for subjecting test-specimens to the destructive forces tow-hich stamping-die :allOyaeXtruSiOn-Idie alloys, casting-.die alloys,and similar die alloys are sub- With the above and other objects inView, as will appear to those skilled in the art from the presentdisclosure, this linvention includes all features in the said disclosurewhich are novel over theprior art. v-

' In theaccompanying drawings, in which certain modes lof carrying outthe present invention are shown for illustrative purposes Fig. l is aside elevation partly in section of the improvedfapparatus of 'thisinvention for treating sol-id metal test-specimens; Fi-g. 2 is a planView ofthe apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is lan enlarged fragmentary front -elelnation of thetest-specimen carrier of the apparatus of this invention, shoWin-gasection of the carri-cron line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the pressure-applying means of theapparatus on section line 4-4 ofFig.1;and 'L v Fig. 5 is -a brokenenlarged perspective View of the test-specimen'mountin-g-ring of thecarrier. In brief, the metallurgicalapparatus of this invention isdesigned to subject a plurality of hard metal test-specimens repeatedlyto temperature changes and stress-in -a predetermined sequenceandoforagiven length of time, to simulate the destructive forces towhichstamping-die alloys, o

:extrusion-die alloys, andA similar die alloys are normally-subjected inuse. After the test-specimens have been so treated, theyare then etchedand-examinedmicroscop'ically or lby meansof a 2 i microscope, todetermine how well a given testspecimen has resisted pitting, ridgng,erosion, and the formation of insipient fractures or minute fissures.v Y-V l The invention is carried out by the exemplary embodiment thereofshown in the Vdrawings, wherein the test-specimen treating-apparatuscomprises a substantially rectangular box-like base-member indicatedgener-ally at II), having test-specimen carrier-means indicatedgenerally at II mounted thereon atv one end thereof andstress-applyingmeans indicated generally lat I2 mounted-at the opp-ositeend thereof andin alignment with the carrier-means II. Y Thesubstantially rectangular box-like basemernber I0 may be constructed inany suitable manner and is preferably a Welded metal structure embodyinga iiat substantially rigid bottom plate I3 on whichis mounted apreformed inverted cover-like member comprising a il-at top plate I4,sic` le Walls I5-I5, and .an Iend wall I6, the bottom edges of the sideWalls and end wall being Welded or otherwise secured to the uppersurface of the bottom plate I3. A separate -plate I'I forms the end Wallof the box-like member opposite its end Wall I5, the plateV I'I beingsuitably Welded to the upper surface of the bottom plate v I3 and to theunderside of the top plate I4of the cover inwardly of the correspondingend thereof,as shown Iespecially well in Fig. l. An aperture I8 is4provided in the end Wall I'B to give access to the interior of thebox-like basemember, whereby a heat-eXchanging'iui-d bath, such asindicated generally at I9 and4 hereinafter described, may be insertedtherein. In the" present embodiment, the fluid bath I9 comprises avessel for holding a body of liquid 20 which, for certain uses of theapparatus, may comprise water, oil or vthe like, and Which for otheruses of the apparatus, may comprise a molten metal. Associated With thevfluid bath I9 is a heating-element 2|, the latter bei-ng preferably anelectric immersion-heater adapted to be connected to a suitable powersource (not shown).

Formed-in th-e top plate I4 ofthe box-like body-member is asubstantially rectangular slot 22 extending longitudinally thereof andcoinciydent with its longitudinal axis, the Width of th-e slot 22 beingsomewhat greater than the widthof the fluid bath I9 as shown :clearlyvin Fig. 2. Secured on the top plate lllonopposite sides respectively ofits slot 22 are bearing-brackets 23f23` for rotatablysupporting thecorresponding en ds of a transverse shaft 24 which-supportsthe'specimen--carrier I I for rotation in .a substantially verticalpl-ane within the slot 22 of the body-member and immediately above thefluid bath I9.

Referring especially to Figs. 2, 3 and 5 as a preferred embodiment, thespecimen-carrier cornprises a wheel consisting of a substantially solidhub indicated generally at 25 having conical side walls between which isan annular raised substantially cylindrical surface of revolution 21provided at its right-hand edge, as seen in Fig. 3, with an integralradially extending annular flange 28. 'I'he latter is provided with aplurality of threaded apertures 29 substantially equally spacedtherearound, into which assembling-bolts 30 .are threaded for removablysecuring the testspecimens 3| and a test-specimen mounting-ring 32thereto.

As shown especially well in Figs. 3 and 5, the test-specimenmounting-ring 32 is an annulus, the inside diameter of which correspondssubstantially to the diameter of the cylindrical surface of revolution21 of the hub, so that the annulus` may t snugly thereon, asshownclearly in Fig. 3, the outside diameter of the annulusvcorresponding substantially to the diameter ofthe annular flange 28 ofthe hub. As indicated in Fig. 5, the annulus or mounting-ring 32 issubstantially rectangular in cross` section and provided on its innerface with a plurality of rectangular grooves 33 substantially U-shapedin cross section, the longitudinal axes of the U-shaped groovesextending radially of the ring. Formed in the center of each groove 33is a substantially smooth-bored aperture 34 for` accommodating the shankof one of the aforesaid assemblingbolts 30. In this regard, each pair ofapertures 34 of the mounting-ring is spaced apart a distance equal tothe distance between each pair of apertures 29 of the annular flange28,*whereby on assembling the mounting-ring on the hub 25, therespective apertures of the ring and flange may be aligned to receivethe assembling-bolts 30.

The test-specimens 3| are preferably rectangular heat-treated solidmetal blocks, the inner ends of which are dimensioned to flt snugly inthe U-shaped grooves of the mounting-ring, each test-specimen beingprovided with an aperture 354 through Yits inner end to receive anassembling-bolt 33. Thus, with the mounting-ring assembled on the hub 25of the carrier and oriented so as to align its bolt-holes with thebolt-holes of the annular flange, the inner ends of the solid metaltest-specimens may be inserted into the U-shaped grooves of themounting-ring whereupon by passing the assembling-bolts 35 through thealigned apertures of the mountingring and test-specimens and into theflange 28, the mounting-ring and its test-specimens are firmly securedon the hub 25 with the test-specimens projecting outwardly substantiallyradially therearound.

Mounted on the top of the box-like body-member on opposite sidesrespectively of the testspecimen carrier are arcuate burners 35-36 whichare substantially concentric to the loci of the outer ends of thetest-specimens 3|, each burner having combustion-apertures 31 on itsinner face adapted to direct flames against the corresponding sides ofthe test-specimens as the latter are rotated by the carrier between thearcuate burners, in the manner hereinafter described. A combustiblemixture for producing flames at the combustion-apertures 31 of theburners is fed to the lower end of each burner by piping which isindicatedgenerally at 38, and

4 connected to a common supply-pipe 39, the piping 38 and supply-pipe 39being supported on and extending substantially transversely of thelefthand end of the box-like base-member.

The stress-applying means I2 of the apparatus is mounted on the top ofthe box-like base-member substantially opposite the test-specimencarrier and as shown especially well in Figs. l, 2 and 4 comprises asubstantially rectangular yoke indicated generally at 40, each arm 4| ofwhich has a longitudinal tongue 42 on its outer face substantiallyrectangular in cross section and adapted to slidingly engage in alongitudinal substantiallyV U-shaped guide-groove 43 formed on the innerface of a yoke-guiding block 44 secured by means of bolts 45 orequivalent fasteningmeans on the top of the body-member longitudinallythereof and adjacent its corresponding outer edge. The yoke 40 is thusadapted to move longitudinally to and away from the test-specimencarrier I. Supported by the arms 4|-4| of the yoke for rotation in asubstantially vertical plane in the slot 22 of the body-member is a.

stress-applying wheel or pressure-wheel 46, the shaft 41 of the wheelbeing journaled at its 0pposite ends substantially transverselyof theslot 22, as shown in Fig. 4,l and in the axially aligned apertures48--48 respectively in the ends ofthe yoke-arms 4|-4|. Thepressure-wheel 46 comprises preferably a solid metal disk' and asmounted thusly in the yoke, the vertical plane of the pressure-Wheel 46lies in the vertical plane of the test-specimen carrier Suitableadjusting-means are provided for moving the yoke to and from thecarrier,v thereby both to engage the periphery of the pressurewheel 46Vagainstthe outer end of the test-specimens of*l the carrier underVvarying degrees of pressure and to withdrawA the pressure-wheeltherefrom. To these ends, a relatively long screw-bolt 49 isslidably'engaged at its inner end in a central apertureof theI crossbar50 of the yoke, the inner extremity of the screw-bolt 49 projectingthrough the crossbar of the yokeand having a rnut-and-washer assembly 5|thereonto prevent the bolt from being withdrawn from the aperture in thecrossbar 50 of theyo'ke. The shank of the screw-bolt 49extendsloutwardlyor to the right, as seen in Figs. 1 yand 2, and isprovided With an externally. threaded shouldered enlargement 52. Theexternally threaded enlargement 52 of the screw-bolt is adapted to bethreadedly engaged in an internally threaded aperture of a block 53secured on theoverhanging end of the top plate of thebase-member, theouter extremityV of the externally threaded enlargement terminatingin asquared head 54 for application of a wrench or handle (not shown) forturning the screw-bolt. By turning the latter in av counterclockwisedirection, thescrew-bolt 49 will positively draw the slidable yoke 49outwardly, thereby withdrawing the pressure-wheel 46 from engagementwith the inner ends of thetest-specimens of the carrier.

In order to slide the yoke inwardlyso as to urge the pressure-wheelagainst the outerv ends of the test-specimens of the carrier, a coilspring 55 ismounted on the shank of theadjustable screw-bolt between theshoulder 56fthereof and the outerfface of the crossbar 5'of5the yokefthecoil spring thereby servingtotransmit the longitudinal'inward movementof lthe shoulder` 56 of the screw-bolt to the crossbar 50 asthescrewbolt is rotated in Ya clockwise direction'. Thus, thepressure-.wheel 46 may be moved inwardly actress.

toaposition to 'engage against vthe ends,ofthe; test-specimens ofthecarrier. lItwill *be clear wheel against the test-specimens acts inahorizontal plane coincident with theinitial point of engagement 4oi.each test specimen with the' pressure-wheel, which engagement issubstantially ltangential-to the periphery of the pressurewheel,as'illustrated in Fig- 1.

v In order that an accurate measure may be made of the pressure beingapplied bythe pressure-wheel to the ends of the test-specimens, a ring51 is slidably mounted on the shank of the screw-bolt between itsannular shoulder 56 and the corresponding end of the coil spring 55, the

ring being provided with van upstanding index-l finger 58 adapted toengage in a narrow guideslot 59 extending longitudinally ofa cylindricalsleeve 60 which encases the coil spring 55 and is secured by an annularflange 6| to the outer face of the yoke-crossbar 50. VSuitable indicia62 is provided on Vthe Vupper surface ofthe sleeve 6x0, along the edgeof its guide-slot 59, by which the position of the lindex-flnger 58 maybe identified. y

By calibrating'the indicia 62 of the guide-slot in units of force, a`measure of the pressure being` applied to the ends of thetest-specimens by the pressure-wheel 46 for any setting of the screwboltmay be determined. v

In using the apparatus for subjecting testspecimens to conditions ofheatand pressure simulating those to which the alloy of a stampingdiev issubjected, the heat-exchanging fluid bath i9 is Ylled with acoolantpreferably cold water. The burners 36 are then turned` on andkthe. carrier, including its radially disposed testspecimens, is rotatedrelatively slowly by suitable drive-means (not shown) in a clockwisedirection, as seen in Fig.`1. Thus, the test-specimens 3l areheatedduring the first portion of their travel cycle by the burners to arelatively high temperature comparable to the temperature reached in astamping-die. Thereafter, the outer ends of the test-specimens aresubjected during another portion of their travel cycle to pressurecomparable to the' pressure used in die-'stamping operations, andl'thereafter the test-specimens are cooled during still another portionof their travel cycle in the rwater bath I9. This cycle of treatments isrepeated for a predetermined number of times on each respectivetest-specimen, after which each specimen is removed from the carrier, bywithdrawal of the asembly-bolts 30, and examined. in any well-knownmanner for evidences of pitting, ridging, incipient fractures, and otherindications of breakdown.

In the present embodiment, the carrier-ll is adapted to support as manyas eighteen Vtestspecimens, and hence a relatively-wide selection ofalloys may be tested simultaneously Aand thereafter examined todetermine the suitability of each alloy for stamping-dies.

It is also within the purview of the invention to utilize the sameapparatus for subjecting testspecimens to conditions wherein dies aresublectedv to erosion-fromcontact with moltenmetal,v

a s for-example,dies used in die casting vand in extrusion operations. TO this end, the cold .waterzy 2i] of theriiuid bath I9 is replacedby. abodyxoi', molten metal such asfor example, Vmolten aluminum,-zinc, orthe like, which is kept ina liquid.

condition by means of the immersion-heater 2|. In order to simulatedie-casting and 'extrusion die conditions, the carrier Il is rotated ina counterclockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 1, to, immerse thetest-specimens successively in the body of.y molten metal. Pressure Visthen applied.

torsuccessive test-specimens of the carrier by the pressure-wheel. Forsimulating extrusion die conditions, the pressure applied will beconsiderable, whereas when simulatingl die-casting con.-

ditions,4 the pressure applied, if any, will be rel-; ativelysmall.Thereafter. the test-specimens arel cooled.- The cooling of `thetest-specimens may. be done simply by rotatingvthe specimens through.

the surrounding air, the burners being shutzol;

orcooled air may4 be-delivered to the burners ,and fed from thecombustion-apertures thereof toI opposite sides, respectively of thetest-specimens4 as the-latter are rotated between the burners.: therebycooling the test-specimens more rapidly.4

After repeating this cycle of, treatments a predetermined number oftimes, the ,test-specimens are removed fromthe carrier and examined to.discover evidences of breakdown and, in particular,-

the verosion effect of the hot, metal on the test- Specimens. 1

.it will be understodfthat the alloy-treating.

cycles of the apparatus of this invention maybe varied to accord withthe conditions under which varioustypes of, diesV are used, Vtheapparatusr being adapted to test alloy specimens, not only. for

dies tol be usedin stamping, extrusion and die-l casting operations, butalso for forging dies, diesl for continuous casting, and draw dies. nThe vinvention may be carried out in other speciflc waysY than thosehereinr set forth without;A

departing from the spirit and essential characteristicsof the invention,and the present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in allrespeets as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes comingwithin the meaning and equivalency range of the appendedclaims areintended to be'embraced therein.

I claim:

1. Specimen-testing apparatus for repeatedly subjecting a pluralityofmetal test-.specimens to temperature variations and to stress, saidappa'- ratus comprising in combination: a base, an end-r less carriermounted on said base and vconstructed and arranged to support aplurality of base arranged .to apply stress to said testspeci mens.during another portion of their travel cycle, and drive-means arrangedto continuously movesaid carrier so as to subject said test-speci-` mensrepeatedly and successively to said heatingmeans and to saidstress-applying means.

2.r Specimen-testing apparatus for repeatedly subjecting a plurality ofhard metal test-specimens to temperature variations and pressure,Ur

said apparatus comprising in combination: 'a

base; an endless carrier mounted on said base constructed and arrangedtosupport a plurality of hard metal test-specimens; means arranged to heatsaid test-specimens during a portion of their travel cycle; meansarranged `to cool said test-- specimens during another Vportion oftheir-travel cycle; means. on sala base arranged 'reapply'- stress 'to"said test-specimens during still another portion of their travel cycle;zand' drive-meansar'ranged-to continuously -move "saidcarrier to carrysaid 'test-specimens repeatedly into engagement successively with saidheating-means. said stress-applying means rand said cooling-means.

3'. Specimen-testing `apparatus for vrepeatedly subjecting a pluralityof hard metal test-specimens to temperature variations andpressure,lsaid apparatus comprising in combination: a base; an endlesscarrier mounted on lsaid base constructed and arranged 'to support aplurality of hard metal test-specimens; means on said 'base 'arrangedto-heatsaid test-specimens duringV a portion 'of their travel cycle;means'on said base A'arranged to cool said tes t-speoimens 'duringanother portion'of their travel'cycle; means on said base arranged 'toapply'stress to said test-specimens duringfstill'another portion oftheir'tra'velcycle; drive-means arranged to continuously move saidcarrier to carry said test-specimens Vrepeatedly into engagementsuccessively with said heatingmeans, said stress-applyingfmeans and saidcooling-means; and vmeans arranged to adjust the stress applied to saidtest-specimens by said stress-applying means.

4. Specimen-testing apparatus 'for repeatedly subjecting a lplurality ofhard metal test-specimens to temperature variations and pressure,saidfapparatus.comprising in combination: a base; an endless carriermounted on said 'base constructed and arranged to support a plurality of4hard metal test-specimens; means for heatin'gs'aid test-'specimensduring a portion of their travel cycle, said heating-means comprisingburners mounted on opposite sides respectively of said carrier to heatthe opposite sides of each test-specimen; means for applying stress tosaid test-specimens during another 'portion of their travel cycle, saidstress-applyingm'ean's comprising -a wheel mounted on said base andresilient means arranged to urge said Wheel into engagement 'with theends of said test-specimens;'means to cool said 'test-specimens duringstill another portion ofltheir travelcycle; and drive-means arranged tocontinually move said carrier to carry said Atest-specimens repeatedlybetween the burners of said heating-meansa'nd into engagement with saidstress-applying wheel and said cooling-means.

5" Specimen-testing apparatus for 'repeatedly subjecting -a plurality ofAhard metal test-specimens to: temperature variations and pressure, saidapparatus comprising in combination:v a base; an endless carrier mountedon said. base. constructed and'arranged to support, a plurality of hard,metal test-specimens; means for heating said test-specimens during aportion ci their travel cycle, said heating -me'an-s comprisingburnlersv mounted on saidv 'base on. opposite. sides respectively'oi saidcarrier to heat the opposite sides of eachtest-specimen; means forapplying stress lto-saidtest-specimens during another portion of theirtravel cycle. said stress-applying. means comprising a wheel mounted onsaidbase and resilient means arranged to urge said wheel intoengagementfwith the endsy of said test-specimens; means on said base'to`cool said test-'speci'- mens during still another portion of theirtravelcycle; drive-means` arranged to continually move said carrier to carrysaidV test-specimens repeatedly between the burners ofv saidvheating-means and into engagement with said stress-applying wheel andsaid; cooling-means; and adiustablemountendsfoi saidtest-specimens.` I

6.-l Specimen-testing apparatus forv Vrepeatedly' subjecting a plurality'-'of hard metal test-specimens vto 'temperature variations andpressureI said apparatus comprising in combination: a base; atest-specimen carrier 'comprising a rotatable hub mountedon saidbaseandhaving a demountable test-specimen -mounting-ring ythereon arranged tosecure a plurality of test-specimens on the periphery of said hub andextending radially therefrom; -means for heating said test-specimensduringla portion-of ytheir ftrave'lcycle, said heating-means comprisingburners mounted on said base on opposite sides respectively of saidcarrier to heat the opposite sidesOf-e'ach test-specimen; means forapplying stress Ato said test-specimens during another portion 'of theirtravel cyclefsaid stress-applying means comprising va 'wheel mounted onsaid base, resilient 'means arranged to urgethe'wheelinto engagementwith the ends of the test-specimens and adjustable mountingmeansassociated with said resilient means to vary the 4pressure exerted bysaid wheel against theends of saidtest-specimens; means mounted on saidbase-tovcool said test-specimens during stillV another portion of-theirtravel cycle; and drive-means arranged to lrotate saidv carrier tocarry thesaid test-specimens thereof repeatedly between said burnersland into-'engagement with said stress-applying lwheel Vand saidcoolingmeans.

7. Specimen-testing apparatus -for repeatedly subjecting a plurality ofhard metal test-specimensto temperature variations and pressure-saidapparatuscomprising-incombination: a base; ran endless -carriercomprising a rotatable hub mounted on said base and Vhaving ademountable test-specimen'mounting-ring thereon arranged to secure aplurality ofY test-specimens on the pe-4 ripheryof'sa'id `hubfandextending radially therefrom; meansefor heating-said test-specimensduring-fa"portionofltheir travel-cycle, said heatingmeans comprisingva-pairof burners mounted on said base on' 'opposite 'sidesvrespectively of said carrier to` heat 'the opposite sides of eachtestspecimen; Vmeans for applyingstress to the ends4 of'saidtest-specimens during another portionY oi" their travel cycle,saidlstress-applying means comprisinga yoke s'lidably mounted on saidbase formovement to-andfrom-said carrier andhavinga stress-applyingwheel rotatably mounted thereon for engagement with the ends of said'test-specimens, resilient -meansin engagement with said "yoke and'adjustable `mountingmeans associatedwith said resilient means arrangedtourge-said resilient vmeansfagainst said yoke to varyy the pressurelexerted by'said wheel againstl the ffend-s-'of-said test-specimens; awater bath supported on 'said' basetofcoolsaid test-specimens duringstillv another-portion of theirtravel cycle;v

and drive-means arrangedl to rotate said carrier' to carrysaidtest-speci-mens repeatedly between said burnersand into-engagementwith said pres-v sure-wheeland sai'd'water bath.

8. Specimen-testing"apparatus for repeatedly subjecting a'plurality' ofhardv metal test-specimens'to temperature variations and pressure, saidapparatus comprising incombinationz'a base; an endless carrier mounted'on" saidv base constructed and arranged to support a plurality of hardmetalT test-specimens; means for heating said test-specimens during aportion of their travel cycle; said heating-means comprising a bath of'9 10 molten metal supported on said base; means REFERENCES CITED mountedon said base to apply stress to Said test' The following references areof record in the specimens during another portion of their travel me ofthis patent:

cycle; and drive-means arranged to continually move said carrier tocarry said test-'specimens 5 UNITED STATES PA'I'EN'I'S repeatedlythrough said bath of molten metal Number Name Date into engagement withsaid pressure-means. 1,277,372 Brunner Sept. 3, 1918 9. The combinationdefined in claim 8 which 2,167,185 Preston July 25, 1939 furtherincludes means for cooling said testc 2,301,316 Orr et al Nov. 10,1942specimens during another portion of their travel 10 2,377,590 TalalayJune 5, 1945 cycle. 2,450,880 Chatten et al Oct. 12, 1948 HENRY G.mSHIAN.

